NM Part 8

With the destruction of the Turner matriarch and the sudden appearance and subsequent vanishing of the clown once more the group finds themselves once again in the main parlor of the Turner manor. The house is pretty much the same as it was when you first arrived except for perhaps a slight lighter feel to the air with the removal of the corrupted spirit. Though from the ground floor anyone looking up the staircase will see that the previously sealed double-doors at the top are now open slightly.

Remi tries to collect himself again after that fight, seeming a bit restless, still full of adrenaline, while he stands in that parlor and lets his eyes scan around left and right, noticing the slight change. Looking at the others then, he lightly rocks back and forth some on the balls of his feet, even as he states, "Well... I think that's the first big challenge done? ... We did well, I think? So what now?" And he looks around again after he speaks... His gaze eventually going up, and pausing on the now open doors, "... Actually, I think we unlocked something."

Marduke stands there for a moment hanging his head, offering soft words perhaps a prayer or something afte the clown leaves. Collecting himself he offers a sigh and glances up to the doors and nods, "Indeed and where I suggest we go next. I suspect there is something important in there for us getting out." A glance to the others, and then lastly to where the couple vanished out, 'They are not free yet."

Ka'Len doubles over, panting quietly to himself for a few moments before he straightens... the anger and subsequent fright having taken it's toll. The previously wishywashy swordsman sheathes his blade and then looks up, following Remi's words, before nodding and murmuring, "your both probably right.. lets go and look. And err... about before, she made me angry, really angry." As if to explain the determination he'd shown and dismiss it.

"Faugh," Alba spits, slamming her knives home. "The departed, hateful bitch is not dead *enough* for my pleasure." One ear flicks to the side, her eyes following Remi's gaze upward. "Then let us see what is to be seen, that we may quit this place. Also, someone will wish to look to our book, and see what has been written."

Sebastion had since sheathed his weapon, figuring that if something was going to take him by surprise, it would be in a way he couldn't stab it for its trouble. He turns his attention over to the others, huffing a couple times. He puts a hand to his side, his grimacing obvious just from seeing his eyes. Beads of sweat drip down his brow. He's quiet now, more focused on pushing past the ache that being tossed around by a tantrumming ghost's wailing caused in him. He nods in agreement of Alba's words about the book, at the very least.

The doors open fully to reveal the Matron's bedroom and study. The room is clean and well-kept, a large desk against one wall, a four-post bed on the far side from the door, and a Dresser dominated by a large silver mirror on the remaining wall. As the group enters the air shimmer a moment before revealing another of the blue shades. A rather wispy older gentleman wearing the garb of a house servant. He bows and begins talking.

"Yes M'lady everything is as you requested. The others have been notified and will meet at the agreed place. The Deacon has done as you asked, the boy will not find the ring in time. The evidence has been removed from the Ketch estate ensuring that the Braskwell boy will be found guilty. And steps have been taken to ensure that the old soldiers, the Marlon Family and the Bard will not be a problem. When the time comes you will have complete dominance over the city." With that the shade fades from sight.

Remi creeps up the stairs towards those doors... And upon reaching them, he takes a break, glances at the others for a moment, and then pushes them open further to peek his head in... Letting his eyes go across the interior, until they suddenly widen some as he finds himself looking right at one of those shades again! His first reaction to raise his hand to fling a spell, but then managing to stop himself halfway through as the dead servant starts to speak... The bunny eared lad tilting his head as his expression goes from surprise to curiousity, and he glances over his shoulder then, "... Seems the lady was up to no good at all. Think this is what the whole thing is about?" He asks the others.

Marduke leans into his staff as he listens, making mental notes clearly of what is being said. "Interesting." Tapping his chin as he considers a moment thoughtfully and shakes his head slowly as he considers. Lifting his head his eyes sweep around, "Search I suppose. Old soldiers is it..." Reaching to grab the book he is carrying and flipping it open to look through it then closing it again thoughtfully. "Remi I think there is a tie between all five of these stories, everything has a connection. He mentioned a hint to each one I think, almost makes me wonder..." Shaking his head as he moves over to start looking around.

Ka'Len slips up the stairs and into the room before he pauses to listen. Frowning then the young man nearly spits, but catches himself quickly. "The woman was a menace, just like people fear we can be.." He shakes his head and then he glances at Marduke and Remi, nodding ot them both before he hangs back with Alba, "we should see if there's anything else of interest in here then move on before it gets too late in the day. Are all of you alright? I know she was pretty... brutal."

"Wetlanders," Alba says quietly, the tone of her voice making the word seem an insult. "What use is there in controlling a village in such fashion? What *purpose* may be gained? Tchah..." Glancing at Ka'Len, the Viera dips her head once in agreement, slipping into the room well after the shade vanishes. "Come. Let us see what we may make of this... matron's... things. It is likely the Summoner is correct, and we wish to know more."

A search of the room finds several items of interest, a small box on the desk contain a metal wedge that would have come from an item the size of a dinner plate. Forged of solid bronze it looks to have been cut from a larger form. Part of a picture on it's surface but with only the single piece it's impossible to tell what it's suppose to be. Those with skill in the arcane would feel an energy coming from the fragment, weak but constant. The second item of interest are 3 sheets of blank paper, the paper is the same type as that in the book, the edges frayed giving the idea that it might have been torn from one at some point. The final item is found in a drawer in the dresser, a simple white fragment of bleached bone.

Remi listens to the others with perked ears... And then nodnods in agreement, taking a moment to scan the room to see if the shade is really gone, before stalking inside and starting the search... Soon finding that wedge, in fact. The Bard lifting it out of the box and turning it this way and that infront of his face, peering and blinking at it before he remarks, "... Well, this looks important enough to keep, I think. Anyone else find anything?" Looking over at everyone in the group then.

"There isn't any real purpose or anything to be gained, some people get a taste for power and controll and will do anything to keep it." Marduke offers with a sigh. A glance over to Remi, "There is magic in that, keep a hold of it. It seems important." He motions to the papers, "I will put those in the book for now if nobody has any objections." Frowning a moment as he pauses, "Hmm correct me if my memory is wrong, but wasn't the Marlon brothers the criminals we heard about earlier?"

Ka'Len looks over the wedge of the plate with Remi and ponders at the picture on it, "I wonder what it's to.." H pauses and looks up at Marduke before humming a little and then nodding about the pages. "Seems sensible, though part of me wonders why they'd have been removed." As for the brothers, the young man shrugs a little then slips to the door, peeking out to make sure nothing has snuck upon them before he looks back, "shall we then?"

Alba straightens from her place at the dresser, a fragment of something white held between two fingerclaws. "...Bone," she says after a moment, turning it this way and that. "...Mh. This merits closer study, perhaps..." A square of old cloth, faded and grayed out through age but still clean, soft linen, is drawn from the pouch at her hip, carefully folded over the shard. "Best to return, yes. We've much to consider, and little wish for Them to keep us company."

"When we're done here," Sebastion says, his voice in a somewhat strained growl, the bruises obviously bothering him, "I would not be opposed to burning this whole town to the ground." He glances away from the others, simply looking around the room. He shrugs at Ka'Len, and turns to follow after the others. Like usual, he's making sure he's the last one out, keeping one hand near his weapon at all times.

Bob floats about as the group searchs the room. "Nope, you're thinking of the Toriss brothers. The Marlons were one of the more influencial families in the Valley, in direct competition with the Turners. Poor folks lost their son a few days before everything around here went to hell, A shame really they were good people. As he floats back out through the doorway the light shining through those empty eyesockets illuminates the holes in the back of his skull where pieces are missing. "Best get a move on, it's getting dark. We can either make a dash back to the Wark and Kupo, or head to the Marlon estate to hold up for the night. Church is too far from here to make it in time."

Remi hmms and decides to take the wedge of course, carefully stowing it away while he says to Ka'Len and Marduke, "Maybe we'll find whatever this fits in... Doubt it's in here for no reason, especially if it's magic." And he moves to follow the others outside then, glancing at Sebastion for a moment, and his expression betraying his agreement with the man's statement about burning the place down. And as he follows Bob, he can't help but stare some at the holes in the back of the skull's head... And after a few moments his ears go up some, and he looks at Alba curiously.

Marduke ahhs and nods, "I am actually kind of interested in the Marlon estate if that is closer then the in and safe." He offers with a shrug, "Else we start running." Glancing to the others a moment and then putting the papers in the book and rescuring it on his waist. "Either way, lets get going. Alba." glancing to her, "you know that bone probably belong to that." Pointing to Bob and then he starts to head out of the house.

"I think perhaps the Marlon estate then, perhaps we can find some more clues upon searching it and we can look over what we've found." He starts put the door then Bob catches his eye and he ponders him before looking at Alba and murmuring, "y'don't think that the bone you find might be..." His voice cuts off as Marduke comes to the same conclusion. "Right, then if it's alright lets go to the Marlon estate. Bob could you direct us?" All this said as he continues out.

Alba's eyes and ears flick between the rest of the group, often independently, and after a moment's consideration the Viera nods once. "Then we go. We shall explore our guide's head once we are certain to be safe."

Sebastion nods his head, evidently holding no significant argument against the group's decisions. He regards the manor with a fair bit of displeasure, though the most sound he makes at this point is the effort of ignoring the nasty bruises he got, little flinches and grunts.

With Bob in the lead the group leaves the Turner Manorhouse behind and heads out into the city once more. The sky darkening and odd shapes moving in the shadows, the occasional rattle of a sealed door on the building as they pass heralding the coming night. After a few minutes the party steps through the rusted iron gateway leading to the Marlon Estate, a small stable and gatehouse left unattended as you travel the paved path through what at one time would have been a lush apple orchard before it opens to the manorhouse. Not as grand as the Turner estate the building gives more of a sense of peace than one of forboding but a feeling of loss still hangs in the air. The doors opening easily as the group seek refuge from the coming night as the wind begins to whip and the howling of the lost souls begin to rise once again. The door closed and sealed with a heavy crossbar.

Like many buildings here the same lamps burn and illuminate the simple parlor, the building being only a single story it's easy enough to search. A kitchen with bottles of wine as well as cheese and dried meats that still seem edible, a study devoid of books, and 2 bedrooms. One the master bedroom, and the second a child's bedroom from it's appearance. Though seemingly out of place in the child's room two chess pieces rest on the mantle. A White Queen and Bishop.

Remi keeps looking around nervously as they travel through town once more, peering at every shadow, and only seems halfway relieved again as they finally get to the estate... Letting out a breath as he watches the crossbeam put in place to bar the door, "... This is one of those safe areas, right?" He asks, glancing at each of the others questioningly, before he starts to follow whoever begins to search the place first. Seeming even more relieved when they find some food.

Marduke nods to Remi, "It is one of the three safe locations in this city at night." He offers with a half smile, moving to look around and stopping a moment in the childrens room, "Hey Sebastion, you took those other chess pieces right? Should add these to that collection." Eyes looking over the two for a second and a shake of his head. Then moving back to the main living room he finds himself a seat, "Anybody find anything of interest outside of the chess pieces?"

Without his earlier adrenaline bolstering his bravery Ka'len shivers a little as they make their way through the road and when doors begin to rattle. When they're in and the bar is thrown over the door the young man breathes out a sigh and then nods to Remi, "and able to be locked tight." The child's room catches his attention and he studies the two chess pieces for a moment before picking up the bishop and looking it over, "there were..." He stops and looks at Marduke again before sighing, "right." Both the pieces are collected for now and then he looks towards Bob while pondering.

With the door closed and barred, Alba casts a brief glance through the parlor's windows, twitching the curtains further shut against the creatures that lurk beyond. "...And perhaps more comfortable, for those that mind such things. ...So. Bob." Moving into the dining room, the Viera crooks one finger, beckoning the skull over, then indicating he turn around. "Let us see if these holes in your memories may be repaired."

Bob turns and after a moment or two the fragment is lined up with the proper hole and fit into place. The cracks sealing over as though the piece had never been missing. There's a flash of light and Bob lifts into the air, a white glow pouring from his eyesockets as he speaks. "When the Judgement came there were two, the Jailor and the imprisoned. Avatars of Order and Madness. They battled but madness quickly turned the tide, calling upon it's minions within the city. The Crone, The Siren, The Beast, The Glutton, The Monster, The Poisoner. They came to aid the Avatar of Madness and brought down the jailor. As his final act he shattered the key the Avatar used to enter this world and bound it to it's minions, who in turn were bound to their own evils within the city. While the Avatar could create Madness, he could not control it and therefore the minions were beyond his reach and with them to key to leaving this place."

The minions in turn were bound yet again, unable to come forth from their madness until one sought to right the evils they had committed. And bound once more as those seeking to right the wrongs must do so by completing the tales of those that had been wronged. So times three was the madness locked away, for to write such a story was beyond him, and thus was any hope of finding his way from his prison.

Bob then floats back to his regular level and pauses before saying "Umm what was I saying again?"

Remi briefly sits down in the parlor, pulling out that violin he took earlier to study it, while nibbling some cheese... But as Alba goes to take Bob to the dining room, he seems to remember what's up, and quickly hops to his feet again to follow after, a look of curiousity on his face. Stepping in just in time to see Bob lift in the air and start babbling... The Bard blinking and trying to make sense of the words as they come tumbling out, frowning in thought. And as Bob finishes and floats down again, all the bunny lad can really say is, "... Bob, you're creepy."

Marduke leans back in his seat frowning the whole time. Eyes watching Bob with a dark stare and then shakes his head as the skull finishes. Reaching up to his head he offers a sigh and closes his eyes a long moment thinking, "I suspect... I suspect the clown is madness." Eyes looking over to Remi, "That thing you picked up, one part of the key. It sounds like to earn our freedom we risk freeing him, and to not do that we will need to fight him in the jailors place." Still holding a hand to his head as he continues to think for a while now his eyes closed and offering a sigh.

Ka'Len fetches a little food, but steps back into the room when the change comes over Bob. A brow rises and is soon joined by another before he mutters a little, "stabbing the clown.. y'know. I think I wouldn't mind that as much at this point. Better than the scare tactics he keeps using on us." He looks to the barred door and frowns a little bit before fetching some food and then walking over to Sebastion to hand him the chess pieces.

"Prophecy, Bob," Alba murmurs, slinking about to face the skull. "You were speaking prophecy. Crone, Siren, Beast, Glutton, Monster, Poisoner, Traitor... I wonder... Which shall you become, at the end of this tale? Else you be Avatar, of Order or of Madness..." Something of what she says, it seems, is amusing, for a low chuckle bubbles from her throat. "Madness. Is this what lays claim to this place...? Ahn. It is well, then. Madness, a friend of old. Long and long have I slept at its side. Well. Father Antlion seems not so terrifying, with this knowledge."

With the story concluded, Sebastion gives a look of amazing disapproval. "So you mean to tell me, that even if we figure out the way out of here, the thing that caused all of this insanity might get free." He throws up his hands, "Bah!" and then he winces, grumbling to himself as he calms down from his frustration. He edges over to Ka'Len, and holds out a hand when the chess pieces are offered over, tucking them away in the same pouch he's keeping the other two. He nods at Ka'Len, briefly. He offers Alba an incredulous stare, startled by her words. "Of all the things that could give you comfort..." he mumbles, as if thinking aloud. He sighs and looks for a place to sit.

Nightfall has come, the howling of the spirits outside and the sound of clawed hand scraping at the door begins just as it did at the Inn, but the door holds firm. Bob has fallen silent, just floating about the room.

Remi shakes his head some at everyone, ears flopping about a little bit, and he quietly remarks, "Well, if we get out, but whatever is causing all this does too... I think we can at least try to hunt it down then on our own home turf, instead of being stuck here, on his... Hers... Its?" The bunny shrugging some at that, before he adds, "Either way, we'll be out of here, so it's an improvement to me all the same." Only falling silent again to glance over at Alba, though not seeming terribly surprised by her words.

"That is why the clown hasn't been stopping us. Only taunting us and running away, watching and waiting." Marduke offers as he opens his eyes and sits up again, "Which means we need to be ready to fight him when the time comes." He points over to Remi, "He may have part of the key that the avatar used to come here, which means we may be able to use it to send him back." Standing up to get himself some food as well, "For one who walks with madness reality becomes but a dream." Shaking his head as he stops by the door to the kitchen, "The chess pieces also play into this somehow I think. Everything that stands out." A glance to Remi again, "The instrument he picked up." To Alba, "The dagger." To sebastion, "The chess pieces, everything has a part."

"And those pages that you found, Marduke.. There's something about those too, but I'm sure it'll be revealed," Ka'len murmurs before pausing as he listens to the clawing hands at the door and suddenly pushes the food he'd been nibbling on away. "I'll take first watch. I don't think I could sleep with those sounds anyways."

"It shall be an interesting tale, to be certain," Alba says, moving to the kitchen. A bottle of wine, a plate, chunk of cheese, and a few bits of dried meat are snagged and brought back out, the wine left on the table for all to take while she disassembles her food into small crumbs and strips. "I shall keep watch with you," she says to Ka'Len. "Much to consider, and place with all we have learned."

Time passes, the bell in the clocktower striking twelve. The last tone of the bell resounding with enough force to rouse those that had found rest from thier slumber. A chill in the air heralding the arrival of two new blue shades sitting side-by-side in a loveseat in the parlor. The man and women wearing the finery of a noble house, the crest matching that which you've seen in the manor. Man: "Thank you for coming Sherrif, it's our son... he didn't come home last night. One of our staff returned today with news that one of your deputies found the servant we sent out with him slain in an alley in the slums. We're fearing the worst." Woman: "He went to the Curio shop on the west side, there was a toy soldier there he'd been looking at. We gave him enough coin to buy it when he finished his lessons. *She breaks into tears, burying her face in the man's shoulder* Oh my dear Robert.." Man: Please find our son Sherrif, we'll give you any help we can. If... if you don't find him alive. Please just bring him home so we can lay him to rest properly." The two fade from sight, the echos of the woman's sobbing can be heard through the house for a few moments, then they too fade away."

Remi did manage to catch a nap, curled up on the parlor floor... Only to sit up as the bell loudly strikes, and finding himself looking upon the scene laid out by the shades- though at least this time there doesn't seem to be an initial urge to attack, the Bard perhaps used to the random appearance of blue spirit people by now. He just watches silently, listening to the dead people speak with perked ears and a small frown.

Marduke wakes up with a start and frowns glancing around trying to figure out what is going on. he blinks a moment noticing the couple and frowns a bit with a yawn. Listening he just nods slowly, "Ok remember that, curio shop on the west end. We will head there in the morning." He offers laying back down clearly intent on getting back to sleep already.

Ka'Len was awake and flicking through the book quietly while frowning to himself. The sudden striking of the close causes him to yelp and jump a littlebit before he ahems and looks towards the shades for a few moments before he blows out a breath and whispers quietly, "a murdered child.. this place truly is cursed."

Alba's head snaps toward the clock at it chimes the midnight hour, attention soon riveted by the ghost drama. By now, the events have proven to be useful, one and all, and she watches, ears straining toward the translucent blue shades. "Curious," she murmurs, as the last vestiges of the mother's grief fade into nothingness. "Naught but mother and father... It would seem the greater players in this game, do not leave such echoes behind them. The Crone did not, nor the one who murdered the priest..."

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